Former Patriots players criticize Bill Belichick for final play vs. Dolphins

Following the Patriots' shocking 34-33 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, Bill Belichick caught a lot of heat.

Rob Gronkowski replaced Devin McCourty for the final seven seconds, which saw the Dolphins score the game-winning touchdown. Ryan Tannehill completed a 14-yard pass to Kenny Stills, the Dolphins executed two laterals, and Kenyan Drake ran 52 yards for a touchdown.

Gronkowski was deep defending the goal-line, but he slipped and could not make the game-saving tackle.

Following the game, several former Patriots criticized their former coach for having Gronkowski on the field instead of McCourty.

"Coach Belichick outsmarted himself having Rob Gronkowski on the field for a 70-yard Hail Mary and keeping his best defensive player on the sidelines, Devin McCourty," Rodney Harrison said on Football Night in America.

Harrison wasn't the only one, as Tedy Bruschi and Donte Stallworth commented via social media.

Gronk was in because that is a "last play" defense. The last play can be a hail mary pass. In a situation where chances of a hail mary are low, the "jumper" (Gronk) should be substituted for another safety/DB. For tackling purposes. That was not done.

Why is Gronk in on defense with the ball on the minus 30 yard line on the last play of the game? That's not hindsight, either. This is not Hail Mary territory. https://t.co/o69P5FDs9z